Mike Duncan

Mike Duncan is an American historian and author best known for his popular podcast The History of Rome, which chronicled the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. His work has been praised for its engaging storytelling, detailed historical accuracy, and contemporary relevance. Duncan is the author of four books, two of which focus on the Roman Empire.

Born in Illinois, Duncan studied Ancient History at the University of Oklahoma and earned his PhD from the University of Texas. After completing his doctoral thesis on the fall of the Roman Republic, he went on to focus his research on the role of religion and social power in Ancient Rome.

Duncan has taught university courses on Ancient and Medieval History and lectured extensively on the fall of the Roman Empire. He published the internationally acclaimed The History of Rome podcast in 2007, a podcast devoted to covering the entire history of Ancient Rome each episode. With well over 200 episodes, it soon became one of the most downloaded podcasts in the world and was adapted into a book. His second book, Revolutions: A Very Short Introduction, was published shortly thereafter and looked at how political revolutions have shaped the modern world.

In his third book, The Storm Before the Storm: The Beginning of the Roman Republic, he analyzes the complex web of individual personalities and interests that created the unlikely Roman Republic. The book has been praised for its detailed account of these events and how they shaped the next two thousand years of Western civilization. His most recent book, The Clan of Caesar: How a Renaissance Bishop Created a New World Order, examines the life of Pope Alexander VI and his attempts to centralize power and institute reforms in sixteenth-century Italy. This book has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Smithsonian Magazine.

Duncan is an engaging and thought-provoking speaker and has presented his work in various venues all across the Globe. He has also provided commentary on historical and current events for The BBC, NPR, and The New York Times. These days, Duncan continues to write and podcast, focusing on complexity and connections between the past, present, and future. He is also an active member of the board of the Society for Ancient History and the Society for the Study of Ancient Mediterranean Religions.

Mike Duncan is a well-respected historian and engaging storyteller. Through his four books and podcast, he has given us an insightful look at the history of the Roman Empire and its relevance today. He is an essential resource for anyone looking to understand the impact of Rome and its legacy on the Western world.